Connected China Global Citizens Across Generations 

Michael Crook, whose family has been building bridges between China and the world for generations, reflected on what first drew him to co-found WAB and what he still hopes the school gives every student who walks through its doors. "My dream is that any student who attends WAB, be it for one year or fourteen, will end up feeling that China is a great country, the Chinese people are wonderful people, and Chinese culture is a wonderful culture and then help to promote friendship, understanding, and peace." He described WAB's insistence on Chinese language learning from its very first day as a founding principle, not just a curriculum choice: a commitment to ensuring that China would always be a genuine platform for learning. 

Sarwat Adnan has lived this kind of cross-cultural journey throughout her own career, from Pakistan to Belgium, Kenya to Bangkok, and now Beijing. As head of the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, she spoke about how multilateralism depends on the same skills that international schools like WAB quietly develop every day: listening, respect for one another, and the ability to build trust across differences. Her message to WAB students was direct: "Make the most of your time in China:  absorb the culture, the traditions, the civilization, the history. That becomes the DNA of global citizenship.” 

Vincent Wang (Class of 2011), a tech and AI investor with deep experience in global startup ecosystems, gaming, and emerging digital innovation, offered a perspective shaped by the language of his work. "School gives you training data," he said. "WAB was core to mine. It valued your interests, not just your grades. WAB always had a good taste in spotting what matters next,” referring to how WAB was studying Dyson and Apple in design tech class back in 2008 and 2009. He also paid tribute to his mother, Linda Meng, retiring this year after 25 years at WAB: "Twenty-five years of dedication to WAB students and community.” 

Nancy Yang (Class of 2015), who hosts cultural, community, and educational events at a historic Qing Dynasty courtyard in Dongcheng, described how she has chosen to stay rooted in Beijing while staying genuinely connected to the world, supporting UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency charity initiatives, collaborating with foreign embassies, and bringing together communities through culture. Her advice to students was simple: "Be yourself, and with kindness. Carry with you the awareness that you are with others around you and others in all parts of the world." 

Stephen Taylor, Director of Innovation in Learning & Teaching, and host over the six panels, reflected that WAB’s approaches, connecting past, present and future, are standing students in good stead as we adapt to changing times. Across the series, panelists have shared the importance of finding purpose, taking on challenges and driving their learning. By pairing the strong academic foundations of WAB with unique, rich opportunities, our students are becoming adaptable, creative and resilient: attributes that will help them grow into valuable and valued members of the communities and industries that they might join in the future.  

As Head of School Marta Medved Krajnovic closed the evening, she noted how fitting it was that the series began with WAB founder Sabina Brady and ended with Michael Crook, bookending six sessions, six dimensions of a future-ready learner, and a year of conversations that showed what learning at WAB can become when it reaches beyond the classroom. This final session was a powerful reminder that being a Connected China Global Citizen is a value that WABbies carry with them long after they leave. 

We thank all the panelists and audience members who participated over the year for their interest, candid and thoughtful responses and support for these next generations of WAB students and alumni as they head out into the world.  

This year, through our Innovation Series, in collaboration with Stephen Taylor, our Director of Innovation, we’ll be sharing stories and examples of what innovation looks like across WAB. We’ll share stories from classrooms, examples from alumni, and insights from global partners. Our hope is that together, we can build a clearer picture of how innovation at WAB helps our students become better learners and prepared for life beyond WAB.